A big-time Texas wheeler-dealer (who's actually Ivy league-educated, but plays dumb) runs out of money, and goes to New York City to raise $1.2 million.A big-time Texas wheeler-dealer (who's actually Ivy league-educated, but plays dumb) runs out of money, and goes to New York City to raise $1.2 million.A big-time Texas wheeler-dealer (who's actually Ivy league-educated, but plays dumb) runs out of money, and goes to New York City to raise $1.2 million.
- Awards
- 2 nominations total
- Eloise Cott
- (as Patricia Crowley)
- Len Flink
- (as Don Briggs)
Featured reviews
Jim Garner at the top of his form, not long after his Maverick character became a household name, but before Rockford.
Lee Remick looking great, in an intelligent role for a beautiful woman.
It's worth the time just to see the terrific supporting cast of old faces (now mostly passed away.)
The only problem is my VHS version is just about worn out, and it's not available on DVD. Who do we complain to?
- - - Art
Garner's on-screen charm and his natural Oklahoma accent play into his wheeling-dealing persona as he cuts one deal after another. It's perhaps the slickest character he ever played. He's a delight from start to finish.
His opposite number is Lee Remick, a stockbroker whose firm wants to cut loose and is setting up for failure.
Garner and Remick make a fine team as they cook up a scheme that turns money (Garner is the actual chef; Remick was as deluded as anyone) as they refuse to admit they're falling in love.
Then an investigator (John Astin) gets on their tail . . .
This movie is full of the sorts of screwball supporting players the 1960s produced in scads. Not only Astin but Jim Backus, Robert Strauss, Jesslyn Fax, Pat Harrington, etc. A noteable standout is Louis Nye's famous but shady artist. Whatever happened to these sorts of plug-'em-in players we used to enjoy watching from movie to movie?
It's a little too strident in its (these days obvious) support of women in business, and makes Remick come off as a stereotype, of the type she did better in "The Hallelujah Trail" and Natalie Wood perfected in " The Great Race."
It's not a largely laugh-out loud affair but light-hearted adult fare.
And it has a great theme song performed joyfully by the New Christie Minstrels.
Of all the characters James Garner has created for the screen, I think I like Henry J. Tyroon the best. Cowboy oilman and conman par excellence, he moves skillfully from one situation to the other in business, but really comes up against it with Lee Remick in the romance department.
The supporting cast is soooo good I don't know where to begin to single anyone out. If put to torture I suppose I'd have to mention Louis Nye, "the boss wrangler of the Henry Tyroon collection", and John Astin the manic SEC investigator.
As Mr. Garner puts it: "Only the taxman loses in a Henry Tyroon deal". Even a the most dedicated and humorless IRS agent will find laughs in this classic comedy.
"I'M INTERESTED IN THE ECONOMICS OF ANY SITUATION"
All the fun is in the wheelin' and the dealin', Garner explains at one point. "Money's just a way of keeping score."
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe car Henry and Molly drive back in from Massachusetts is a 1963 Imperial Crown convertible built by Chrysler Corporation. Only 531 were made that model year. Base price was about $6,000 in 1963 (about $60,650 in 2024). An example in excellent condition in 2024 could be worth $150,000 or more.
- Goofs(at around 5 mins) When the old lady, who steals the cab from Henry, closes the door, a cameraman, camera, tripod, and microphone are all reflected clearly.
- Quotes
[Henry is complaing about how hard it is to get a cab in New York]
Feinberg: You're just like my wife, mister. You don't understand the economics of the situation.
Henry Tyroon: Then teach me. I'm interested in the economics of about every situation.
Feinberg: Well, there are 11,000 cabs in the city - and no new permits for the next twenty-five years. Now suppose you wanna buy a cab and start hackin'... you gotta get a new permit, too. Now the tab on a new permit is eighteen thousand five hundred on the open market.
Henry Tyroon: And how much did your cab cost, Mister
[looks at driver's ID]
Henry Tyroon: Feinberg?
Feinberg: Thirty-three hundred... new.
Henry Tyroon: Mm-hmm. Then that makes your investment, uh, with the permit, come to about $22,000.
Feinberg: Yeah. But don't tell my wife... she'll think I'm rich.
Henry Tyroon: Mm-hmm. Mr. Feinberg, I'll give you $24,000 for your cab and permit.
Feinberg: You wanna buy the cab?
Henry Tyroon: Right. But you come along with it. I'll need your services for a week, maybe two.
Feinberg: No, look, mister, I can't sell the cab. I need it.
Henry Tyroon: Well, I figured that. So, when I leave I'll sell it back to you for... $22,000.
Feinberg: You wanna lose two grand just to keep your feet dry when it starts to rain?
Henry Tyroon: I don't lose, Mr. Feinberg. See, I borrow the money and then I get a deduction on the loan interest and another on the depreciation and another on the loss when I sell it back to you. And you make a nice profit.
Feinberg: You win and I win. Uh-uh, there's gotta be a loser somewhere.
Henry Tyroon: Taxman loses. He usually does on a Henry Tyroon deal.
Feinberg: Mister, you've just got yourself a taxi.
- ConnectionsReferenced in I've Got a Secret: James Garner (1963)
- SoundtracksThe Wheeler Dealers
By Randy Sparks
Sung by The New Christy Minstrels
[Played over the opening title card and credits; reprise played at the very end of the movie]
- How long is The Wheeler Dealers?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Getrennte Betten
- Filming locations
- TWA Terminal, JFK International Airport, Jamaica, Queens, New York City, New York, USA(Henry arrives in New York City)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 47 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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